Personal and Group Counseling

Anxieties surrounding academic pressures, financial matters and personal growth are common to all college students. The Office of AHANA personal and group counseling services are staffed by two full-time professionals and three graduate assistants who reflect the racial diversity of the AHANA community at Boston College. The staff is committed, sensitive, and above all, trained to provide assistance and support to students in the many transitions and issues they must face as part of the Boston College community.

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Academic & Career Advisement

Pursuing a post-secondary education requires important decision-making which has lifelong implications. Such decisions include selecting courses that fulfill University core requirements, are compatible with one's needs and interests, and are consistent with the requirements of a major course of study. In an effort to reduce the anxiety involved in making these often complex decisions, the office's professional staff encourages regularly-scheduled meetings with students to discuss course selection, identify personal strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and examine the progress being made toward fulfilling graduation requirements.

Although one of the main goals of the Office of AHANA is to ensure the successful completion of graduation requirements, emphasis is also placed upon career choices. Students are guided in considering options such as internships and graduate school, and also are encouraged to utilize the University's Career Planning and Placement Center and to attend the annual "Career Expo" co-sponsored by the office. The Expo provides an opportunity for students to prepare resumes and meet with representatives from approximately 50 corporations, to discuss career options.

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Options Through Education Program

The Options Through Education Transitional Summer Program (OTE) is a pre-college enrichment program designed for educationally and financially disadvantaged AHANA students who are highly motivated, potential achievers. OTE gives these students a leg up on the sometimes daunting transition to college life. It familiarizes participants with Boston College's academic and administrative resources, strengthens their scholastic skills and acquaints them with the campus and surrounding community.

Emphasizing personal growth and development, the six-week program provides an introduction to the academic and social aspects of college life. An intensive and enriching experience, the OTE program balances a challenging curriculum (classes five days a week, six hours a day) with support services and social activities. OTE participants are encouraged to strive for excellence throughout their undergraduate careers, through academic advisement and progress reports. The success of OTE is measured by the 82 percent graduation rate for the 40 AHANA students selected to participate in this annual program.

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Jaime Escalante Tutorial Services & Writing Workshops

The primary objective of the Tutorial Program is to assist students unsuccessfully completing their course work. It attempts to transform good students into even better students. Twenty-five student tutors provide assistance in approximately 30 subject areas. In many cases, tutors have had previous involvement with the office, and are continuing the Office of AHANA's tradition of service by volunteering to assist others. Studies have shown that those students who have used the tutorial services have outperformed nonusers.

The Writing Workshops offered are an extension of the office's commitment to the improvement of student skills. Recognizing that the organization of ideas and effective communication are essential to success in any academic course and future career, the office sponsors Writing Workshops for students who feel the need to refine their skills.

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Benjamin E. Mays Mentoring Program

Check out the new Benjamin E. Mays Mentoring Program Web Page!

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The AHANA Hotline

The office's campus publication, the AHANA Hotline, provides a forum for addressing the concerns of the Boston College AHANA community, and includes information on upcoming events, activities and programs of interest to students.

The office's commitment to career planning is reflected in the listings of internships, post-graduation job opportunities and graduate programs. Opportunities for student employment and scholarships also are listed to provide avenues for financial assistance and academic recognition of deserving students.

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Ambassadors Programs

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Informational Services

The Office of AHANA Student Programs conducts workshops, lectures and symposiums, on and off campus, to familiarize the community-at-large with the varied cultures present in our society today. These sessions are intended to spread the "AHANA' concept, as first defined in October of 1979 by Boston College students Alfred Feliciano and Valerie Lewis. The students objected to the name "Office of Minority Student Programs" then used by the University, citing the definition of the word minority as "less than." They proposed, instead, to use the term AHANA which they felt celebrated the cultural differences present in our society. After receiving overwhelming approval from the University's Board of Trustees, the Office of Minority Student Programs became the Office of AHANA Student Programs.

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University Liaison

The Office of AHANA Student Programs coordinates efforts with various campus offices including the Career Center, Campus Housing, University Counseling Services, and various deans' offices in an attempt to provide the most complete services and resources to AHANA students. The office also maintains close ties with various campus organizations of special interest to the AHANA community, such as:

Asian Caucus - Initiates and promotes social and cultural relationships among Asian students and the Boston College community

The Black Student Forum - Sponsors concerts, films, and lectures throughout the academic year to increase awareness of the African-American heritage and cultural contributions.

O.L.A.A. (Organization of Latin American Affairs) - Sponsors cultural events to inform and increase awareness of the contributions of Spanish-speaking people throughout the world.

The Voices of Imani - Boston College's gospel choir, which spreads the gospel both on and off campus, through song.

In addition to those listed above, the office advises and assists other clubs and organizations reflecting various cultures on campus in organizing and obtaining funding.

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Other Programs

-Sponsorship of AHANA Leadership Retreats: The OASP specializes in leadership development through retreats. -Sponsorship of AHANA Leadership Academy: Training and organizational development is provided to student leaders. -Gospel Caravan: A can that affords AHANA students an opportunity to attend Sunday morning worship services. Outreach to Newton Campus: The OASP satellite office, known as the Father Ellacuria AHANA Resource Center, is located in Cushing Hall, outside the lounge. -OASP Web Page!

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